Burkina Faso has announced the suspension of BBC and Voice of America radio broadcasts for a fortnight following the airing of a report alleging human rights violations by the country’s military.
Human Rights Watch released a report stating that Burkinabe soldiers had killed over 200 villagers, including 56 children, in retaliatory attacks in the jihadist-affected north on February 25.
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The Communications Authority (CSC) cited the airing and publication of the report by BBC Africa and VOA as grounds for the suspension, accusing them of making “hasty and biased declarations without tangible proof against the Burkinabe army.”
Burkina Faso has not officially responded to the report.
However, the country has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency since 2015, stemming from neighboring Mali.
